Jump to content
LegacyGT.com

Loss of power/slight rattle


Recommended Posts

Hello all I am a new member and a new owner of a 2005 legacy gt wagon limited. Purchased the car as I have always wanted a Subaru due to its awd, practicality and what I thought was good reliability. Coming home from Easter brunch today on the highway doing about 65mph I heard what sounded like a rattle from the passenger side of the engine bay and then soon after realized I had almost no power. No cel, engine temp was fine and no other negative indications given. Acceleration was difficult and rattle could be heard whenever I pressed on the gas peddle but was close to home so just limped it home. Got home and checked fluids and they were all fine. Did some research online and got worried after reading so many horror story's of the turbos blowing. Scared to drive it again or even start it up again to listen to it run under the hood. Thinking about having it towed to mechanic tomorrow as I am worried about the turbos yet I am somewhat mechanically inclined and on a budget so hoping it could simply be the catalytic converter in which case I would simply perform replacement myself. Any advice or troubleshooting tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

-New optimistic Subaru owner:cool:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here some additional important information of the car I forgot. Purchased it not even 2 months ago from a dealership in MD, 78k miles, bone stock, car is in great cosmetic condition and what I thought was great mechanical condition. While being inspected before my purchase the oil was changed along with front brake pads and ac belt which Im sure isnt relative but just wanted to provide all possible information I could think of. Thanks in advance!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

While I've never heard it myself, a turbo failure usually sounds like marbles rolling in a tin can. In any case, I would NOT drive the car until you are sure that the turbo is OK.

Drop the downpipe and check for any shaft play in the turbine.

 

Do you have any warranty on the car?

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxDLHODQ0Nw]2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT blown turbo - YouTube[/ame]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys. Weather permitting I will drop the down pipe tomorrow. Could you guys identify a probability of it being turbos vs anything else less significant? Would you recommend taking the car to a dealer or a performance shop. There is a well known subaru performance tuning shop about 10 miles away.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can you really blow a turbo without showing any cel?

 

The ECU would have to have an abnormal condition for a CEL. Lack of boost isn't abnormal from the perspective of the ECU as long as all other parameters are within range.

 

The only code correlating to an imminent turbo fail that I'm aware of is the P0021 which is the PS cam timing, sometimes caused by a clogged banjo bolt filter and also starving the turbo bearing of oil.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Couldnt a faulty catalytic converter make a similar rattling sound and also result in loss of power?

 

I guess it could. But the problem is that the only cat in the engine bay is in the up pipe which is connected to the turbo. So if it were to fail, any broken pieces would get sucked in by the turbo. So, no good :(.

 

Can you really blow a turbo without showing any cel?

 

Yes. there have been some cases on the forum unfortunately.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So I am getting car towed to a subaru performance shop tomorrow but am beginning to worry about the motor due to the fact that I continued to drive car home for about 10 miles after losing power. However I have heard that it would be difficult for pieces of turbo to make it into the motor? Any opinions would be appreciated.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You bought it from the dealer 2 months ago? Don't touch the car, call dealer, have it towed there. That's a no brainer.

 

They changed the oil last, if its your turbo unless you went over the oci in 2 months you should be good. Check your state laws.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had considered going back to dealership but was oy given a 30 day warranty and didn't feel I had a leg to stand on?

 

Which state are you in? In MA a car under 79999 miles gets a 60 day. Worth checking.

 

Out of interest, did you check your oil levels in those 2 months?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use